Measles alert for passengers at Sydney airport

Passengers who were at Sydney Airport on Sunday are urged to look out for signs of measles after a passenger tested positive to the highly infectious disease.

NSW Health authorities have issued a measles alert after the infected man arrived at Sydney airport on the morning of Sunday, February 3 on Qatar Airway's flight 906 from Doha.

He spent three hours in the international terminal before boarding the connecting flight to Canberra.

NSW Health said the man became unwell prior to his flight.

Passengers on flight QR906 and those who were inside the terminal between 6am and 9am on Sunday are being advised to look for signs and symptoms of measles until February 21.

There is no ongoing risk of measles to travellers at Sydney airport, NSW Health said.

"If you develop symptoms please call ahead to your GP so you do not wait in the waiting room with other patients," NSW Health communicable diseases branch director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said in a statement.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing.

It takes between a week and 18 days until symptoms of measles begin to appear. Symptoms include fever, sore eyes and a cough, followed by a red, blotchy rash covering the head and body.

This is the ninth measles alert from NSW Health this year.

Authorities say the risk of measles being brought to Australia is high, due to outbreaks of measles in popular holiday destinations overseas.

Travellers are urged to consider being vaccinated before travelling to south and south-east Asia where the disease is prevalent.